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http://www.acs-aec.org/press/acsPR100800_e.htm ACS PRESS RELEASE ACS work group drafts agreement to establish the Caribbean as the world's first Sustainable Tourism Zone PORT OF SPAIN, October 10, 2000 -- A meeting of legal experts of the Association of Caribbean States' Special Committee on Tourism introduced a draft agreement today that calls for the establishment of the Sustainable Tourism Zone of the Greater Caribbean, the first of its kind in the world. The new agreement would increase efficiencies in processes like rating and certifying tourist facilities and destinations. The agreement aims to establish a legal framework that specifies the characteristics and minimum standards of sustainability within the zone. The proposal also means the Greater Caribbean would become the world's first Sustainable Tourism Zone, using and in some cases, setting international standards. The document would replace the Memorandum of Understanding signed by foreign affairs ministers during the ACS' II Summit of Heads of State and/or Government in Santo Domingo de Guzmán, Dominican Republic, April 1999. The Sustainable Tourism Zone would adopt a similar structure to those of international certification and tour operator programs. It would not only make the Greater Caribbean more competitive worldwide, but also raise standards throughout the region and set them for the rest of the world. Ambassadors and envoys from six ACS member states are expected to finalise today the draft, ``Agreement for the Establishment of the Sustainable Tourism Zone of the Greater Caribbean." The ACS work group is comprised of representatives from Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Trinidad and Tobago, Venezuela. Founded in 1994, the Association of Caribbean States comprises 25 full members and three associate members: Colombia, Mexico, Venezuela, all Central American countries, CARICOM member states, the Dominican Republic, Panama, Aruba, France (including French Guiana, Guadalupe and Martinique) and the Netherlands Antilles. Its membership represents 71 percent of all Latin American and Caribbean countries. Its population of 227 million people represent almost half of the region, and its GDP is near $751 billion, which is approximately 43 percent of the total GDP of Latin America and the Caribbean. For interviews and further information please contact: Aleem Khan, [EMAIL PROTECTED], 1-868-623-2783 = = = See also: Association of Caribbean States: Special Committee on Tourism http://www.acs-aec.org/Tourism/WebindexE.htm --------------------------------------------------------------------- Want to offer travel on your website? Already have a site selling your travel products? Increase your revenue by adding ANY or ALL of our travel booking engines for air, car, hotel, cruise, and rail. We offer co branded integration and we do all the customer service and fulfillment. We share the revenue with you UP TO 50%. 40,000 links powered already! Contact, [EMAIL PROTECTED] or http://affiliate.travelnow.com/new/index.asp?ref=jb ---------------------------------------------------------------------
